TC.... thanks. Somehow you always manage to ask the questions I would ask.

I found this interesting

Quote:

The Texans were right to play such a conservative personnel grouping so often, as they’ve struggled badly the past couple seasons when they’ve played “11.” In 2012, their DVOA in “12″ was 14.9%, compared to -27.5% in “11.” In 2011, when they had Jacoby Jones and thus better WR depth (at least in the games Andre Johnson played), they had a 17.6% DVOA in “12″ and -7.3% DVOA in “11.” DVOA includes an adjustment for game situation, so this suggests the Texans offense simply hasn’t worked as well when they’ve played with more wide receivers. This could reflect the quality of the wide receiver depth, the particular strengths of the offense, or a number of things it’s hard to tease out.”

Glad to see we all werent just crazy saying Kubiak is slightly conservative

Interestingly, the conclusion is that given the way the team is structured, such conservatism makes sense.

FWIW, this is part of the conclusion about the coaching staff that is included at the end of the chapter:

Quote:

It's a popular thing to claim the Texans need to "open up" or otherwise "diversify" their offense after their playoff failures the past two seasons. Yet detailed reviews of the team's play show a scheme that stresses defenses and punishes indiscipline, often with big plays. Gary Kubiak handles more of the pass game and Rick Dennison more of the run game and both do an excellent job of getting the most out of the talent they have. It will be up to well-regarded offensive line coach John Benton to help get the right side of the line in better shape this season.

Glad to see we all werent just crazy saying Kubiak is slightly conservative

Makes you wonder if there was really a problem. We still won 12 games during the regular season. We still managed to have one of the top offenses in the NFL, points as well as yards.

Maybe Kubiak knows this team better than we give him credit for & were he not as conservative, we wouldn't have won so many games.

I know people don't like the 3 yards & a cloud of dust offense. Personally, If we get a 12+ point lead, we should work on running the ball when the other team knows we're going to run the ball. I want to win the TOP, I don't want to give the ball to the other team.... ever.

Even without a lead, I want to run the ball & keep it away from Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, & Peyton Manning. As long as we aren't down by two scores with less than a qtr to play, I want to see that ground & pound against those guys.

But those long drawn out possessions need to end in points, 6 preferably.

I prefer this conservative approach. I prefer winning by choking someone out than losing with big, flashy, grandiose plays. I've got no problem with a team that isn't afraid to punt and trust its defense to step up instead of having to flail around and pray for a big play to bail them out.

And it's not like we're a conservative team that wins squeaker after squeaker by the skin of our teeth, a team that keeps it close and tries to get some last second score to win. We dominated most of the games we won last year... even when we weren't playing all that well. To me, that's just some good damn strategy right there.

We have to play better down the stretch and we have to find a way to stop higher-caliber offenses and not get ourselves in out-of-hand situations against teams like the Patriots and Packers. But. This is a young team that is new to winning and it's in the process of developing a winning tradition and a winning identity. I'm cool with that. We just need to keep winning and keep getting better at it.

I prefer this conservative approach. I prefer winning by choking someone out than losing with big, flashy, grandiose plays. I've got no problem with a team that isn't afraid to punt and trust its defense to step up instead of having to flail around and pray for a big play to bail them out.

And it's not like we're a conservative team that wins squeaker after squeaker by the skin of our teeth, a team that keeps it close and tries to get some last second score to win. We dominated most of the games we won last year... even when we weren't playing all that well. To me, that's just some good damn strategy right there.

We have to play better down the stretch and we have to find a way to stop higher-caliber offenses and not get ourselves in out-of-hand situations against teams like the Patriots and Packers. But. This is a young team that is new to winning and it's in the process of developing a winning tradition and a winning identity. I'm cool with that. We just need to keep winning and keep getting better at it.

Co-signed.
Just win.

The aforementioned Patriots and Packers threw the ball around the yard. Neither made the Super Bowl last year. Arguably the best QB of this "age" (#18) who's known for his lofty passing stats was one-and-done in the playoffs last year.

Just do whatever the heck works against whoever the heck we're playing.
Just win.